MESA L-band radar

[Todjaeger]

I've been checking on the developments of MESA radars, in particular the L-band radar being mounted on the Wedgetail AEW&C for the RAAF. Of particular interest is the possible use of the array to engage in EW, disrupting or damaging enemy electronics.

If it is possible for the array to do so, what sorts of electronics would be most vulnerable? Would it be exposed sensors and seekers, ala enemy radar arrays, missle seekers, exposed communications antenae, that sort of thing?

Given the range of the array is supposed to be in excess of 200 n miles, I have to assume there would be a reduction in range if the solid state emitters were focused on a target to disrupt it. Any idea what sort of range reduction or scan area would be?

 

[LancerMc]

I don't think the MESA could ever be used that manner for a couple of reasons. All of the MESA radar could not be focused on one spot since it was designed to spread over a 360 degree area. To focus a lot of power into the radar would probably burn the whole thing out. Radar equipment is extremely fragile and expensive. If you burned out the entire MESA radar emitters board, you would have the replace them all. ESA emitters chips are fragile to high temps and will melt easily if to much power is put through them.

 

[Todjaeger]

From what I understand of the MESA radar, it consists of a large number of individual solidstate emitters with steerable beams. From the articles I've read, (AW&ST had a good one) one possible use of the MESA radar is to have a large number of these emitters focusing together. By focusing the signals from a number of emitters in one spot, it might be possible to overwhelm the shielding of an electronic device causing malfunction or damage. It is theorized that this could be done to a lesser extent any AESA radar as well.

Granted, in normal operations the array emitters would sweep 360 degrees around the aircraft. What I'm interested in is if any tests have been conducted to determine if a MESA radar can overcome enemy electronics, and if so, if there are any figures on at what range this could be done, etc.

 

[B.Smitty]

It has been hinted that X-band, fighter-class AESA radars may get electronic attack abilities sometime in the future, so I see no reason why MESA couldn't.